The African Esophageal Cancer Consortium: A Call to Action

Abstract

Esophageal cancer is the eighth most common cancer worldwide and the sixth most common cause of cancer-related death; however, worldwide incidence and mortality rates do not reflect the geographic variations in the occurrence of this disease. In recent years, increased attention has been focused on the high incidence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) throughout the eastern corridor of Africa, extending from Ethiopia to South Africa. Nascent investigations are underway at a number of sites throughout the region in an effort to improve our understanding of the etiology behind the high incidence of ESCC in this region. In 2017, these sites established the African Esophageal Cancer Consortium. Here, we summarize the priorities of this newly established consortium: to implement coordinated multisite investigations into etiology and identify targets for primary prevention; to address the impact of the clinical burden of ESCC via capacity building and shared resources in treatment and palliative care; and to heighten awareness of ESCC among physicians, at-risk populations, policy makers, and funding agencies.

Global trends in the incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer from 1990 to 2017

“…[6][7][8] Esophageal cancer mainly occurs in developing countries, and its cases and deaths account for more than 80% of all regions. 9 The high incidence in some regions is a prominent characteristic of this malignant tumor, and in these hot spots of esophageal cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the predominant histological subtypes. 10,11 In recent years, research on esophageal cancer has focused on Asia and Africa.…”

Reducing the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: out with the old; in with the new

“…As a result, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the United States National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, the Clinton Health Initiative, academic medical centers (Mayo Clinic, University of California San Francisco, Tenwek Hospital in Kenya, Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania, and others), and industry (Boston Scientific) have formed the African Esophageal Cancer Consortium to conduct epidemiologic, clinical, and molecular research and to lead efforts in strengthening clinical collaborations, research infrastructure, training, and capacity building in sub-Saharan Africa. 14 This study reminds us that we are at a key inflection point in the global investigation of ESCC. Should we follow strategies that are used in developed countries and focus our efforts on increasingly refined stratification tools to identify a small population that may benefit from enhanced screening and intervention?…”

Systematic Review of Genetic Factors in the Etiology of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in African Populations

“…To date, GWAS has successfully identified more than 700 loci for cancer risk. However, these studies have been predominantly done in populations of European ancestry (80%), with African and Latin American populations contributing less than 1% (Van Loon et al, 2018). A shift to WES and GWAS on the African populations might, therefore, yield better results in identifying variants that play a role in ESCC development.…”

“…A shift to WES and GWAS on the African populations might, therefore, yield better results in identifying variants that play a role in ESCC development. The African Esophageal Cancer Consortium, which was initiated in 2016 by African investigators and International partners, released a call to action to, among other priority activities, increase molecular research on esophageal cancer in Africa, particularly GWAS and genomic profiling (Van Loon et al, 2018).…”